Displaying items by tag: War

Russia and Ukraine have exchanged strikes on each other’s energy infrastructure, leaving widespread power outages and civilian hardship. In Russia’s Belgorod region, around 450,000 people were left without electricity, with heating and water supplies also disrupted amid freezing temperatures. Meanwhile, in Ukraine’s Chernihiv region, about 150,000 residents lost power after damage to key facilities, with repairs delayed by ongoing security risks. Additional attacks in Odessa caused casualties and property damage, while a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire at a major Russian oil export terminal in Ust-Luga. These escalating attacks form part of a broader strategy to weaken energy capacity on both sides. As the conflict continues, concerns are growing over regional stability, especially after a Russian drone reportedly crashed in Latvia, raising fears of wider international escalation.

Iran has rejected claims by Donald Trump that negotiations are under way to end the conflict, with military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaqari accusing Washington of ‘negotiating with itself’ to mask failure. While US officials suggest progress and reports indicate a proposed plan involving limits on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes, Iranian leaders insist no direct or indirect talks have taken place. Confusion persists as regional actors, including Pakistan and Turkey, reportedly act as intermediaries, passing messages in hopes of de-escalation. Meanwhile, hostilities continue, with Israel and Iran exchanging strikes and civilian casualties reported. The US is also increasing its military presence in the region, highlighting the tension between diplomatic signals and ongoing conflict, and underscoring the fragility of any potential path toward peace.

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could weaken his country’s ability to defend itself against Russia. He expressed concern that global attention and military resources, particularly from the USA, are being redirected, potentially leading to shortages of key defence supplies such as air defence missiles. Rising energy prices linked to the wider conflict are also adding pressure to Ukraine’s situation. He suggested that prolonged instability elsewhere could benefit Russia by stretching international support and delaying peace efforts. At the same time, he called for greater unity among Western leaders, urging stronger cooperation to maintain focus on Ukraine’s ongoing struggle. Diplomatic tensions between allies risk complicating that effort, even though leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Ukraine. The challenge of sustaining attention, resources, and coordination has become increasingly complex, raising concerns about how long current levels of support for Ukraine can be maintained.

Israel’s assassination of Ali Larijani, a central figure in Iran’s political and security establishment, will be a devastating body blow to the country, probably even more than the loss of the supreme leader Ali Khamenei at the outset of the war. Known for his ability to bridge factions within Iran’s complex system, he played a key role linking military and civilian authorities while maintaining influence with international partners. His loss removes a figure seen as capable of navigating both internal divisions and external pressures. He had supported diplomatic engagement alongside firm internal control, positioning himself as a pragmatic voice amid hardline elements. His absence could strengthen more hardline forces, complicating any path towards stability or ceasefire. News update: on 18 March Iran’s intelligence minister, Esmail Khatib, was killed in an air strike. See

On 5 March, Ukraine and Russia exchanged two hundred prisoners of war, with a further exchange of three hundred the next day. The swap, agreed during talks in Geneva in February, marks one of the latest humanitarian steps during the long-running conflict between the two countries. Volodymyr Zelensky said the return of the Ukrainian prisoners brought relief to many families who had waited months or years for news of their loved ones. Images released by officials showed returning soldiers embracing relatives and celebrating their release. Russian authorities also shared footage of their soldiers returning home. Prisoner exchanges have occurred periodically since the war began, offering moments of hope even while efforts to secure a broader peace settlement remain stalled amid disagreements over territory and security guarantees. More recently, Zelensky has claimed that Ukraine has made significant gains in the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, and that Russia is losing 35,000 soldiers a month: see

Ursula von der Leyen has reaffirmed the EU’s strong commitment to international law after her remarks on 9 March about a changing global order sparked controversy. She had said that Europe could ‘no longer be a custodian for the old world order’, suggesting that shifting geopolitical realities require new approaches. Some supporters viewed the comment as a realistic assessment of global tensions, while critics feared it might weaken Europe’s defence of international rules. Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez responded that the key challenge is maintaining an international order rather than allowing disorder. Von der Leyen clarified that recognising global changes does not lessen the EU’s principles. She emphasised that the EU remains committed to peace, multilateral cooperation, and the principles of the United Nations Charter. Her remarks come as European leaders are sharply split over the legality of the US-Israeli war against Iran.

Egypt’s tourism sector has rebounded strongly in recent years, reaffirming its importance to the national economy. In 2025 the country welcomed nearly 19 million visitors, a 21% increase from the previous year, while tourism revenues reached €14.17 billion - more than 20% above pre-pandemic levels. This recovery follows the sharp decline in 2020 when travel restrictions caused revenues to fall dramatically. Authorities expect continued growth in 2026, supported by increased air travel, including a significant rise in charter flights, and the development of destinations such as El Alamein, Siwa and the North Coast. The government is investing in infrastructure, with plans for more than 200,000 new hotel rooms and expanded airport capacity. However, due to the new Middle East conflict many Egyptians are at present struggling with rising living costs: higher transport costs are pushing up food prices, leaving both vendors and families facing growing financial strain. See

Rachel Reeves has held urgent talks with senior oil and gas executives after warnings that energy bills for UK households could rise by around £500 due to the war in the Middle East. The meeting at Downing Street included representatives from companies such as BP and Offshore Energies UK, as the Government assessed the economic impact of the conflict. Rising oil and gas prices have already unsettled global markets and pushed energy costs higher. Economists warn that sustained increases could add to inflation and significantly raise household energy bills, particularly affecting lower-income families who spend a larger share of their income on utilities. Reeves has signalled she still intends to end the Energy Profits Levy, also known as the windfall tax, but may reconsider the timing depending on market conditions. Industry leaders argue that removing the tax would encourage long-term investment in the North Sea energy sector. The Government is also monitoring whether further intervention may be needed to protect households if energy prices continue to climb. See

Security experts are warning about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in online disinformation campaigns after a British academic discovered a deepfake video using his likeness. Professor Alan Read of King’s College London was surprised to see a video circulating on social media in which a synthetic version of his face and voice delivered a political rant he had never made. Researchers say such videos, suspected to be mainly of Russian origin, are part of a wider trend of AI-generated content designed to spread misleading narratives and undermine trust in democratic institutions. Some campaigns have criticised European leaders or attempted to discredit Ukraine during the ongoing war. Experts say newer AI tools have made it easier and cheaper to create highly realistic videos, allowing influencers to reach large audiences quickly. The speed and scale of these synthetic messages pose a growing challenge for governments, regulators, and technology companies as they seek to limit the spread of coordinated disinformation online.

Looking on at the conflict in the Middle East, the president of the European Investment Bank (EIB), Nadia Calviño, has urged Europe to strengthen its ‘strategic autonomy’ more quickly. She warned that conflict and geopolitical uncertainty threaten economic stability and investment. European leaders are particularly concerned about the possibility of another energy shock after Iranian strikes in the Gulf unsettled global markets. Gas prices in Europe recently surged sharply, while oil prices also rose. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 disrupted supplies of cheap Russian gas, Europe has worked to diversify energy sources, turning to partners such as the USA, the Gulf states, and Azerbaijan. Calviño said European businesses have adapted, though higher energy costs still affect competitiveness compared with regions with cheaper power. She also emphasised Europe’s commitment to cooperation, international law and peaceful engagement, expressing hope that diplomatic tensions will ease despite the difficult global environment.